A business body, which will help shape and support Cardiff council’s economic development strategy, has been confirmed.

Cardiff Business Council (CBC) has a mandate to represent the views and interests of the private sector and other stakeholders in the Cardiff city region.

As well as supporting the economic development of Cardiff and the capital region, it will also contribute towards the marketing and promotion of Cardiff. and efforts to attract inward investment projects.

The council’s chairman is entrepreneur Nigel Roberts whose commercial interests include Paramount Office Interiors. Other members of the council’s board include vice chancellor of Cardiff University Colin Riordan and partner with Cardiff Bay headquartered corporate finance firm, Gambit Frank Holmes.

Councillor Russell Goodway, Cabinet Member for Finance, Business and Local Economy, said: “This administration is fully committed to re-engaging with the local, national and international business community, to help ensure that Cardiff can lead the economic recovery on behalf of the whole of Wales.

“Under the last administration, the council’s relationship with the business community was woefully neglected which has resulted in serious reputational damage, including a perception that Cardiff is closed to business.

“We are determined to ensure that perception is changed and to sell Cardiff as a global destination for business. The message from the council and the CBC is that Cardiff is very much open for business.”

The work of the Cardiff Business Council will be delivered by the authority’s economic development team in partnership with businesses and other partner organisations.

Mr Roberts: “I can speak on behalf of the new board who are collectively very excited about the new venture. CBC will work very closely with Cardiff council to help them realise their ambitious plans for the growth of the city which will benefit its citizens and those within the capital region.

“We have a good balance on the board with most industry sectors covered, along with higher education.

“Together with the council we will be setting deliverable targets and will be leveraging our UK and international contacts to ensure the next ‘growth spurt’ for our capital can be realised.”

The council’s other inaugural board members are Marie Fagan, chairman of the Cardiff Hoteliers Association, Mike Hall, former Welsh rugby international and director of property development company PMG, Phil Jardine, partner with law firm Morgan Cole, Anthony Chapman, vice chancellor of Cardiff Metropolitan University, Sally Oldham, managing director of Global Radio, and communications entrepreneur John Jones.